Kidokey, there we go! I'm in a good mood today (research paper is finally completely over) so as a thanks t my reviewers, and to give me something else to hope for, I give you this!

Eyes-of-Crimson, Yes, I did indeed post it! It makes me happy that you like it.
Mina the Forgotten Memory:Thanks! I never really got to the "Zomg, I smell you loadsness" until some weird summary at lunch (with Eyes-of-Crimson, what luck!) when I decided to add it. Cool thing you got that! (I was thinking people would just think it's random... XD)
Metal Chocobo and -An Unhealthy Zemyx Obsession-, I'm glad you liked it! Don't worry, I'm getting to the actual Zemyx part!

Just truckin' along... Here!

Whispered Melody
.ii.
Underneath these Vacant Smiles

Monday.

Air pollution. Freshly-cut grass, people, food. Smoke, salad, ranch dressing.

There was just something about Axel which he couldn't figure out. The boy acted like a rebel, in some Activists group at school, revolting against authority when it wouldn't get him kicked out of college, sometimes even showing up at sit-ins or protests or the heavy metal concerts in one of the courtyards. Most of the time, Zexion found it a nuisance, and it just made him wonder how the boy was so brilliant with math and science. Sometimes, his formulas were so complex that Zexion doubted even Vexen, the science nerd of all time, could understand them.

Axel looked like that stray sort of genius, but it had somehow drawn Zexion to his presence. They say next to each other in two classes, met for lunch every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and sometimes hung out over the weekend. The weird thing was that Axel got Zexion to talk, had him rambling often on the strangest of situations, and could always pull him out of one of his silent streaks when he vowed not to even look at the rest of the world for as long as he could manage.

And with Axel, it never lasted long.

"Zexion, what's on your mind?"

It was Monday again, approximately one in the afternoon, and the two sat outside at one of the many tables in the center courtyard. Neither felt truly in the mood for more grease--Zexion's stomach was protesting against yesterday's fries--so they bought semi-healthy meals in the cafeteria and settled on school property. The smaller of the two had been prodding lazily at a tiny tomato in his salad, and he didn't even bother to look up at Axel. He merely hummed in acknowledgement that Axel was speaking again.

"You alive over there?" Axel asked, leaning forward in his seat. "Feeling okay?" When his friend didn't replied, he sighed. "Zexion... Zeeeehexion..." Still no answer. So he roughly kicked his friend in the shin.

Zexion jumped immediately, banging his knee on the table. He merely looked slightly ruffled and rubbed his leg for a moment, staring up at Axel. "What is it?"

"You're doing your zone-out thing again," Axel complained. "It gets boring looking at you when you act like a rock."

Zexion had returned to staring away shortly after Axel began his complaiint, this time leaning back cautiously as he watched a small bird hop over. Axel kicked him again andd he hissed through his teeth, his chair scraping across the ground with a loud, screeching sound as he moved away from the table. The small bird quickly flew away.

"Stop kicking me," Zexion warned coldly, on the verge of causing physical harm.

Axel knew not to push Zexion too much, but he had a bit of leeway with this situation. "Zexion, c'mon, bud, talk to me..." he whined. Zexion didn't like any whining, and he was bound too give in or lash out. When the smaller one didn't budge, he frowned slightly. "Aww, is widdle Zexion unhappy? And he won't tell his poor, attractive fwiend? Poor poor widdle Zexy--"

"Don't call me that," the younger one snapped, then sighed. "Axel... I don't do dates."

The redhead leaned back in his chair. "Oh... was that all you were worried about? Hmm... I wonder if Larx might've been too much; she's on the opinionated side..."

"Opinionated, Axel?"

"Okay... Larxene's rough, strong, and has one hell of a sadistic streak... maybe she's just too much for you, since you're so small and all..."

"My height has nothing to do with it," Zexion stepped in quickly, looking up at the redhead.

"But you're somewhat weak, and she's got... toys..."

"I'm talking about dates, Axel, not sex."

"You're talking about Larxene; there's a fine line between those," replied Axel, laughing at Zexion's sudden silence. He looked up for a moment. "Well... she'll deal, maybe. She thought you were cute, though. I guess you just don't like people..."

Zexion's dull look took on an annoyed expression. "Now, I never said that..." he murmured. "There's nothing wrong with her, exactly..."

"So you admit you have a problem?" Axel asked quickly.

"Nobody's perfect..."

"Then you should go out with her again." The redhead grinned. "She thinks you're hot and you need a woman in your life. Or are you afraid she'll take away your precious virginity?"

Zexion wanted to smack Axel, but decided to respond with something other than a well-aimed punch to the face. "Like how you took away that high-schooler's?" he asked smugly. "I'm going to let my dignity remain."

"Ouch..." Axel placed his hands over his chest dramatically. "You've wounded me, Zex, and here I was, thinking you were my friend..."

Silence.

"And just so you know," he added, "we didn't do anything... and even if we did, he's of legal age..."

"He's still in high school," Zexion argued.

Axel sighed. "Zex, bud, you don't have fun, do you?"

Zexion rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Axel."

Axel shrugged and pushed his chair back, reaching for his backpack. "Larxene wants to go out with you tomorrow and I told her you weren't busy," he said calmly.

Zexion paused, leaning forward quickly. "What?!"

.vi...ix.

Tuesday.

Chinese cuisine. Chanel No.5, dry-cleaning,, used scent.

Because of Axel's inability to understand the word 'no', Zexion was now seated in the Fury Dragon, a small, nice Chinese restaurant quite a few miles away from the school. Larxene looked absolutely lovely, and Zexion couldn't help but stare at his date, absorbing her wardrobe and the many fabulous curves displayed in the tight, black gown. It was long and shimmery, thin straps draped over her shoulders, cut low in the front and even lower in the back, revealing a small butterfly tattoo at her spine and her ample bosom.

The only problems were that she seemed to tower over him in her five-inch stillettos, her black nailpolish made her look emo, and her lipstick rubbed off on his cheek when she kissed him in the car.

Maybe Vexen was right. Maybe he was becoming weak and sappy and needed a girlfriend. Axel had been telling him that for months, and he never truly felt a click, until he found himself staring at her cleavage.

Larxene sighed. He truly hadn't meant to be rude, but when she displayed the teaser so openly, some were intrigued with the merchandise. She leaned forward calmly. "Zexion..." she said seductively.

He looked up immediately. "Yes, Larxene?" he asked.

"Can I be absolutely blunt with you for a moment?"

He nodded. "Shoot." He took a sip of water.

"Are you just dating me for sex?"

He choked immediately, setting the glass down as he coughed and tried to clear his throat. A moment of breathing calmly passed before he looked up. "W-what makes you come to a decision like that?" he asked.

"Because... Axel has some fucked up friends, and I question every one of them. Plus, the rapist"--it was her new pet-name of affection for their red-haired comrade--"plays some pretty sick tricks. So you're not in it for the sex?"

He sighed. "No, Larxene, I'm not," he replied. "I don't date only for that."

Larxene let silence fall as she nodded and accepted the answer. The two merely looked about, the most mild of comments floating about concerning the glass windows, the wood furniture, someone's wardrobe, until the food arrived. They were still rather silent, eating calmly, before Larxene delicately patted her lips with her napkin and rose from her seat.

Zexion blinked, watching as she stood up and began to walk. He began to wonder if she was leaving, surprised that she'd abandon him at the restaurant, since the nearest bus stop was at least three miles away. Plus, she seemed the type to rant about something rather than walk away. Or at least she'd steal his car, or call someone.

She did none of those. Her calm hands grabbed his black tie and she tugged him forward as she placed her face inches from his. Her other hand formed a fist and was held promted and ready behind her, prepared to strike a blow.

"You're gay, aren't you?" she asked. "Axel does this shit--hooks me up with one of his friends, as if I can't notice!"

"No, Larxe--"

"Don't you dare fuckin' lie to me!"

"I'm not gay!" Zexion said quickly.

She came in a bit closer, looking at him carefully for any sighs of lying. When none reached her eyes, she frowned skeptically. "You sure?"

"Yes."

"Positively?"

"Yes." He wanted her to let go of his tie; breathing was becoming a tad difficult with her tightening it under her strong grip.

Larxene stood for a moment, still watching him, searching, then frowned a bit deeper, letting go. Calmly, she slid onto one knee on the bench she moved in close to Zexion, moving her face closer to his. "Prove it, Zexion," she challenged. "Kiss me, right now, like you mean it."

It seemed rather difficult to resist, with the ample bosom held within close range and her voice and appearance quite seductive and quite flaunted. Axel had told him that he could possibly score sex in a situation like this, but Zexion wasn't one to whished to land himself on her list of one-night-stands. He frowned.

"Larxene..."

"C'mon..." she whispered into his ear. "Just kiss me... I know you want it..." Her hand touched his thigh and began to move inward. "I bet you do..." Her hand dropped onto his crotch and he audibly gasped, instantly sliding away from her.

"S-stop..." he forced out.

She slid a bit closer, frowning slightly. "What's up with you, Zexion?" she asked.

He looked down calmly, though inside he could feel himself shaken. "Look, Larxene... you're nice and all, but, well..." He sighed. "I'm not the dating sort. There's nothing against you..."

Larxene sunk down to sit next to him, slouching on the chair. "I figured... kid, you're like a rock. You're really not my type; I thought Axel was only kidding when you said you could be a tad unresponsive."

Zexion shrugged. "Sorry. I'm just not too fond of others."

She looked at him tiredly. "Y'know, kid... you need to get laid."

He sighed and massaged his temples. "I do not," he argued, weakly.

.ii. end .ii.

So my entire theory on periodically posting in some sort of order was completely THROWN OUT THE WINDOW. So I hope you guys like this early! Don't expect the entire fic to be up within a week, because I'm not done with it yet! But you guys get to enjoy getting closer to a purpose!

"Me love you long time?" -Tea, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series.

:Darkness Princess.